Field Marshal Asim Munir to meet Trump in coming days, reports Reuters
Pakistan
Munir has built a close relationship with the mercurial Trump to repair years of mistrust between Washington and Islamabad
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Field Marshal Asim Munir is expected to fly to Washington to meet President Donald Trump in the coming weeks for a third meeting in six months that will likely focus on the Gaza force, two sources told Reuters.
Trump's 20-point Gaza plan calls for a force from Muslim nations to oversee a transition period for reconstruction and economic recovery in the war-torn Palestinian territory, decimated by over two years of Israeli military bombardment.
Many countries are wary of the mission to demilitarise Gaza's group Hamas, which could drag them into the conflict.
Munir has built a close relationship with the mercurial Trump to repair years of mistrust between Washington and Islamabad. In June, he was rewarded with a White House lunch – the first time a US president hosted Pakistan's army chief alone, without civilian officials.
Pakistan's military, foreign office and information ministry did not respond to questions from Reuters. The White House also did not respond to a request for a comment.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said last month that Islamabad could consider contributing troops for peacekeeping but disarming Hamas "is not our job."
Pakistan, the world's only Muslim country with nuclear weapons, has a battle-hardened military that has also tackled insurgencies in its far-flung regions and is currently embroiled in a bruising war with Islamist militants who are operating from Afghanistan.
